Oak Ridge Today

Guest column: Holiday crime prevention, shopping tips

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By Sheriff Paul White

During the busy holiday season, many people can become victims of burglary, theft, and other crime. Protecting yourself and your home from crime is the easiest way to have a safe and happy holiday season.

In an effort to ensure everyone has safe and fun holidays, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department would like to offer the following tips for holiday crime prevention.

Shopping:

  • Park in lighted areas at night.
  • Always lock your car. Don’t try to cover items on your seats. Put shopping bags in your trunk or take your packages straight home after shopping and then go back out. [Read more…]

Guest column: Thanksgiving traffic safety

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By Sheriff Paul White

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and to help save lives on our roadways, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will be teaming with other state and local law enforcement officers to crack down on seat belt violations.

During the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday period, 249 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes nationwide. Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts.

Sheriff’s deputies will be out in force during the long weekend. The goal is simple: to enforce the law in order to save more lives. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just across town, one of the best ways to ensure a safe arrival is to always buckle up. It’s a simple step that each of us can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones. [Read more…]

Anderson County Sheriff releases Halloween safety tips

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Halloween will soon be upon us and our neighborhoods will be scattered with trick or treaters. To be sure this will be a fun and safe Halloween, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department is offering these safety tips.

  • Parents, please remember when choosing your children’s costumes, face paint is preferable to a mask. Trick or treaters should wear reflective clothing, carry a bright orange bag, and carry a flashlight or glowstick to make it easier for passing cars to spot them. Always walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. Parents and children alike should watch for cars at all times. [Read more…]

Guest column: Independence Day traffic safety

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The Fourth of July may be America’s iconic holiday, but all too often the revelry ends in tragedy on the highways due to drunk driving. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department urges everyone to celebrate this Independence Day with a pledge to keep our community “independent” from drunk driving.

“The Fourth may be one of the nation’s most popular holidays, but, unfortunately, it’s also one of the most dangerous in terms of alcohol-related fatalities,” Sheriff Paul White said. “Too many people think they can get behind the wheel because they’ve only had a few drinks and just have a ‘buzz’ on. The truth is you don’t have to be ‘falling down drunk’ to be a menace to yourself and everyone around you on the highways. Remember: ‘Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.'” [Read more…]

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department celebrated National Police Week

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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department joined law enforcement agencies across the nation in celebrating National Police Week from May 12 through May 18.

May 15 was National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week containing May 15 has been National Police Week since President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726 on Oct. 1, 1962. It was not until May 15, 1982, that the first National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day service was held.

Activities during National Police Week now include the annual Candlelight Vigil at the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial in Washington, D.C. The National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day Service on May 15 draws thousands from across the nation. [Read more…]

Anderson Sheriff, other communities observed National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

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The Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, and other communities throughout the nation, honored 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from April 21-April 27. This year’s theme was “New Challenges, New Solutions,” and it celebrated the spirit that will advance crime victims’ rights.

Thirty years ago, crime victims had no rights, access to crime victim compensation, or services to help rebuild their lives. They were often excluded from courtrooms, treated as an afterthought by the criminal justice system, and denied an opportunity to speak at sentencing.

Today, all states have enacted crime victims’ rights laws and established crime victim compensation funds. More than 10,000 victim service agencies help victims throughout the nation. Every year, states and localities receive millions of federal dollars to support these services. [Read more…]

Guest column: Sheriff reminds students not to drink and drive

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Proms and graduations are important traditions for young people and the community. The time to celebrate achievements, reflect on the past, and take the first steps into adulthood. Unfortunately, some teenagers believe the deadly mix of alcohol and driving is also a part of this tradition. Far too many are injured or killed after the prom or graduation.

Our young students headed to the prom and from graduations are reminded not to drink and drive. Deputies with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department will be out in force on prom nights and after graduations. Driving under the influence, illegal drugs, and underage drinking will get you a ride to the county jail.

The Sheriff’s Department also reminds teens that getting caught drinking while under the age of 21 can result in losing a driver’s license, getting suspended from school, ejected from sports teams, and even banned from graduation ceremonies. [Read more…]

Anderson County Sheriff cracking down on impaired drivers during holidays

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Drive SoberTo help save lives this holiday season, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department is launching a special “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown to stop impaired drivers and to save lives on our roadways. Sheriff’s deputies will be aggressively looking for drunk and impaired drivers.

“Lots of folks will be out during this busy holiday season, enjoying themselves and the holiday festivities, and we want everyone to be safe on our roadways,” Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said. “That’s why we will be stepping up enforcement to catch and arrest impaired drivers. If you are caught drinking and driving impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses.”

There are three simple steps people can take to stay safe and out of trouble:

[Read more…]